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Glendale
News-Press Olive Branch's owner's philosophy matches name
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT I met one of the most wonderful human beings in Glendale this week. It's always interesting to me how you can discover unexpected treasures while following the path to your intended goal. I introduced myself to Nosrat Alizadeh, the owner of Olive Branch Restaurant. Alizadeh is very gentle and spiritual -- the sort of person you wish to meet every day. After speaking to him for a while, he explained that many people confuse his restaurant with the Olive Garden, but that the two restaurants have little in common. Peace inspired the name of his restaurant, and Alizadeh demonstrated his interest in peace when he handed me a story that he had printed on cards and leaves on a shelf in the restaurant for customers to take and enjoy. The story reads: "'Tell me the weight of a snowflake,' a coal-mouse asked a wild dove. 'Nothing more than nothing,' was the answer. 'In that case I must tell you a marvelous story,' the coal-mouse said. 'I sat on the branch of a fir, close to its trunk, when it began to snow, not heavily, not in a raging blizzard, no, just like in a dream, without any violence. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. "'Their number was exactly 3,741,952. When the next snowflake dropped onto the branch -- nothing more than nothing, as you say, the branch broke off.' Having said that, the coal-mouse flew away. "The dove, and authority on the matter since Noah's time, thought about the story for a while and finally said to herself, 'Perhaps there is only one person's voice lacking for peace to come about in the world.'" The food at Olive Branch is delicious. The ambiance is quiet and relaxing, and the prices are very reasonable. My children and I first visited the restaurant four years ago right after it opened. We loved it. We gave it a "thumbs up" shortly after sitting down and sampling the appetizers. Although I don't consider myself a health-food-type person because I love gooey, fattening sweets, I am very partial to vegetarian dishes. Olive Branch has a fantastic vegetarian menu! I could go for volumes about the menu, and why you should try the chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp or lamb kabobs. Or why the salads look and taste as if they were grown and prepared with love. The food is exceptional, and you will soon discover that along with the quality of food, you have the pleasure of being served by a warm staff overseen by an exceptional owner. You must visit Olive Branch to meet Alizadeh. He is a graduate of USC with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in environmental engineering. He went on to work as an environmental engineer, only to discover that he missed the days of working his way through college as a bus boy and a waiter. He missed the interaction with people. His love of the La Crescenta neighborhood will shine through the enthusiasm he has for cooking and pleasing the patrons of his restaurant. Olive Branch is located at 3658 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta. The hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Catering is also available. Olive Branch promotes good food and good life. When you visit Olive Branch, remember to take home a menu so you can place future orders from home or work, and it will be ready when you arrive. You can reach Alizadeh by calling 248-9876. -------------------------------------------------------------------
~LINDA LAZAR's
columns appear Fridays. Reach her in care of the Leader Newspapers, 425 W.
Broadway, Suite 300, Glendale, CA 91204 |
